“All those extra sets of eyes and ears enable us to respond as quickly as possible and resolve or investigate the situation,” said Game Commission wildlife veterinarian Andrew Di Salvo.

The game commission credited the public with helping researchers learn more about the disease.

Scientists will continue to search for answers, Lau said. “But research has ruled out many potential causes, and there is no indication that feeding birds or maintaining birdbaths were contributing factors.” “No definitive cause of illness or death has been determined,” Lau said. Much is still unknown about what caused the birds deaths in at least 10 states and Washington, D.C. Now that we believe the illness is no longer a threat to the birds, people may replace their bird and hummingbird feeders, as well as birdbaths.”īirds that have died of the mysterious illness include blue jays, European starlings, common grackles, American robins, northern cardinals, house finches, house sparrows, eastern bluebirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, Carolina chickadees and Carolina wrens. “People were very understanding of the reasoning behind keeping feeders inside,” she said. It is resuming its sales of bird feed at its nature stores, said Audubon spokeswoman Rachel Handel. The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, which also urged the public to stop feeding the birds in early July, agrees with the commission. The commission is recommending that residents can resume bird feeding because there are decreasing numbers of sick and dead wild birds, according to Travis Lau, commission spokesman, in Friday’s press statement. The ban on feeding was prompted by reports in Pennsylvania and neighboring states of birds dying with crusted-over eyes and potential neurological problems. “We would see 10 species at one time, and it’s been a pleasure,” Mardelle said. The couple enjoys a sunroom, which they call a nature room because the feeders are strategically placed for viewing. The couple has been feeding their avian friends for 40 years. Longtime bird-feeding aficionados Patrick and Mardelle Kopnicky of Fawn were thrilled to hear the news. Residents can resume one of the country’s most popular past times: feeding the birds.Īs bird deaths decrease, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced Friday that it is lifting its recommendation issued in early July to cease bird feeding in the state because of a mysterious bird illness.

Valley news dispatch pa